Claims of mismanagement, nepotism at big domestic violence service

One of Victoria’s major domestic violence services is under investigation amid claims its boss oversaw tens of thousands of dollars in victim support payments to help a friend pay for private school fees, an interstate holiday and legal costs.

The allegations are among several concerns raised by whistleblowers into the workplace culture of the Eastern Domestic Violence Service, a state-funded organisation assisting women and children in Melbourne’s east.

EDVOS executive director Jenny Jackson.

With more victims reporting family violence than ever before, demand for EDVOS’s services has grown significantly over the past few years under the Andrews Government’s multi-million-dollar reform of the sector.

But The Age can reveal the organisation is now the subject of a review commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services, and its executive director, Jenny Jackson, faces allegations of nepotism and conflict-of-interest claims over the allocation of family violence grants.

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EDVOS has vehemently denied the allegations, and according to its chair, Lilia Szarski, an independent staff survey recently “showed the internal culture of the organisation to be engaged and outstanding.”

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However, multiple former staff who have spoken to The Age have painted the picture of a “toxic” workplace, where senior managers had a tendency to play favourites, hire their own children and friends, and reward allies with perks such as flexible working arrangements and trips to interstate and overseas conferences.

Investigators have also been told that Ms Jackson helped her daughter get a casual contract for a newly created, unadvertised position as a child support worker. She was later appointed to a full-time role.

It is also alleged that the executive director helped one client, a personal friend, get approval for a series of family violence grants which one whistleblower estimated to be worth about $41,000. Others acknowledge substantial funds were paid, but dispute the figure is that high.

The Age has confirmed these so-called Flexible Support Packages were used to pay legal fees, an interstate holiday, home security, as well as extracurricular activities and private school fees for the woman’s child.

Flexible support packages are an initiative that stemmed from the Family Violence Royal Commission, giving victims up to $10,000 per grant (previously $7000) to cover “personalised and holistic support.” The average package is usually around $3000.

Any allegation of wrongdoing ... at Family Violence Support organisations is disturbing and should be investigated.

A spokeswoman for Family Violence Prevention minister Gabrielle Williams.

Government guidelines say they must be based on a support plan tailored to the victim, which means the money can essentially be used on whatever women and children need to feel safe and live independently: from CCTV or clothing and beds, to medication, holiday retreats or education.

Some insiders believe the guidelines are too vague. Insiders also say Ms Jackson should have declared a conflict of interest given EDVOS’s code of conduct states: “you must ensure that you are, and are seen to be, fair and equitable in your dealings with women and children”.

Ms Jackson declined to discuss the matter when contacted by The Age, but supporters have privately described her as “inspirational” and angrily accused disgruntled former staff – some of whom have faced their own grievance procedures – of having a vendetta. They also reject claims that the grants were given to “a friend” noting that while the pair had known each other in the past, they only reconnected recently through EDVOS.

However, social media posts by the executive director describe the client receiving the funds as one of her "friends,” and also show other links between the pair.

Ms Szarski said in a statement that the board was committed to sound governance and had already engaged an “independent third party” to examine the claims when they were first raised by a former employee last August.

“These independent, third-party investigations found the allegations to be exaggerated, unsubstantiated or false,” she said.

“Employees anonymously reported a culture of success and offered praise for the executive director. The results were a very significant improvement on an identical survey some years ago. EDVOS and its dedicated personnel remain focused on our mission of keeping women and children alive.”

The government confirmed an investigation was underway, but added it would be inappropriate to comment on specific details as the matter was ongoing. The issue is sensitive, given the need to ensure that taxpayer funds are being used appropriately as part of Labor’s family violence prevention agenda.

Figures show EDVOS received almost $25 million in state government funds over the last three years, and supported more than 7000 women and children in the past financial year alone.

“Our Family Violence Support organisations play a pivotal role protecting women and children from the dangers of family violence – it’s essential that they’re operating properly so that they offer the highest levels of protection,” said a spokeswoman for Family Violence Prevention minister Gabrielle Williams.

“Any allegation of wrongdoing ... at Family Violence Support organisations is disturbing and should be investigated.”

The review is being conducted by independent law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth, which is examining two main themes: how EDVOS uses its funding and its workplace and culture.

But it is not the first time a vital family violence service has been put under the spotlight in recent months. Last year, Safe Steps, which runs the 1800RESPECT emergency hotline for domestic violence victims, was also placed under investigation amid allegations of bullying and intimidation.

By October, the organisation’s then chief executive and other senior managers had been removed after the review found deep-seated problems in the organisation’s workplace culture.